3 Plumbing Repairs Anyone Can Do

According to a study I've been conducting for the past 20 years, almost every home in North America needs at least one of these plumbing repairs.

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According to a study I've been conducting for the past 20 years, almost every home in North America needs at least one of these plumbing repairs. And that's a shame, because each of these plumbing repairs is quick and easy. You can do each one in 15 minutes or less, even if you have no plumbing experience.

If the flow from your faucet is weak, unscrew the aerator and clean the little plastic parts inside. Scrub off gunk with a toothbrush or scrape with a knife. Here's the key to success: As you disassemble the aerator, lay out the parts in order so you know exactly how to reassemble them.

If a valve under your sink is dripping, you probably don't need to replace it. Instead, just tighten the packing a little. (If you tighten it too much, the valve stem won't turn.) To prevent loosening the whole valve as you tighten the nut, hold on to the valve body with a second wrench.

If the drainpipes under your sink leak, take a look at their alignment. If the pipes join up straight, simply tighten the slip nuts. If they're crooked, loosen the nuts, straighten out the assembly and retighten. If your pipes are plastic rather than metal, hand-tighten first. Then check for leaks and use pliers if necessary.